Friday will see the release of two previously announced sets of Vinylmation series at the Walt Disney World resort plus an addition to the Park Series #4.

Plane Crazy Mickey (pictured) by Thomas Scott will come in a combo pack along with a random Park Series #4 figure.

Vinylmation Jr #2 which has already been released at the Disneyland Resort will be released this Friday at Walt Disney World as will the limited edition Vinylmation Condiments set, which will be available at both resorts. The 6 figure set is limited to 2,000 pieces and retails for $84.95.

At D23 Expo in 2009, Disney Store President Jim Fielding regaled an eager audience with his tale of the Disney Store. From its humble beginnings to the next chapter in the Disney retail experience. Dubbed ‘Imagination Park,’ Fielding briefly touched upon what he defined as being ‘the best thirty minutes of a child’s day.’

Today, Disney Store turned to the first page of the new chapter as they unveiled ‘Imagination Park’ to the world via its Montebello, CA location, just outside Los Angeles and it’s every bit of wow that one had come to expect from the hype. Eventually all the Disney Stores are expected to adopt the new look and philosophy of Imagination Park, but — for now — 20 locations are expected to receive the update this year, including new stores in New York’s Times Square and San Francisco’s Union Square, amongst others.

With a new store design comes a new costume for Disney Store cast members and Imagination Park is no exception. The new Disney Store cast member costume is a gingham blue checkerboard shirt with khakis. Cast member name badges have also been modified, this time to include the individual cast member’s favorite Disney character.

We had already known about the castle which features a special mirror: when children hold special Disney Princess merchandise with an embedded RFID chip in the packaging, they are instantly greeted by Ariel, Aurora, Cinderella, Snow White or Tiana who appears in the mirror right before their very eyes — as if by magic.

But if you’re thinking Imagination Park is neglecting the boys, think again! Because right here in Imagination Park is a small RIDEMAKERZ station. The very same custom-R/C car store that has already set up shop at Downtown Disney at both the Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts has found a home in Imagination Park. But what sets this particular RIDEMAKERZ apart is that it offers vehicles and accessories based on Disney/Pixar’s CARS, which are exclusive to the Montebello store.

Virtually everything Fielding has talked about in Imagination Park can be found here. A large custom screen housed inside a gazebo allows children to pick and choose the multimedia presented to them and provides other exciting opportunities to take advantage of the new technology.

Another Imagination Park element talked about is the ability to add a little scent to the air, such as pine trees if A Christmas Carol was playing in the store. Although it’s not quite there yet, the ability to scent the air is there and it does just that about every 20 minutes or so with the single scent currently available. And what’s a park without trees? Or more precisely, what’s an Imagination Park without magical trees? These treescan interact with guests and provide special experiences you’ll have to see to believe such as creating displays of virtual fireworks to celebrate special occasions.

One thing that’s missing that had been discussed is something called ‘mobile checkout’ — the ability for Cast Members on the floor to check out guests on the spot without having to wait on line at registers. Although it’s not available at the present time, we hear it may not be far behind.

And the magic doesn’t stop at just the experiences, we also encountered some additional surprises in way of inventory. For example, while they’re not even available in the parks as of yet, the Montebello Disney Store is selling Toy Story and Have a Laugh Vinylmations.

The Disney Store at the Shops at Montebello opened today as part of a soft opening with a grand opening planned for June 29. Today, the first 500 guests received a special gift (Mickey ears) while on June 29, there will be a formal grand opening of the store with Disney execs and characters appearing throughout the day in addition to the other festivities.

Disney Consumer Products is collaborating with adidas, Burton, Oakley and Hurley to launch a new performance fashion line for men inspired by the high-tech 3D adventure, TRON: Legacy. Designed for the active male, the new TRON: Legacy product line features dark finishes, holographic treatments and stylish color blocking that complement the film’s cyber aesthetic. From surfing, running, hitting the beach to snowboarding, the active male will be covered through these special collaborations. The line marks DCP’s first broad fashion line for men in the performance category. The line marks DCP’s first broad fashion line for men in the performance category.

This fitted grey tee says “Drink Me” and features a mysterious bottle. But you shouldn’t drink out of mysterious bottles, should you? Oh, why not?! No harm in taking a little sip. Tie feature on bottom left.

Toy Story 3, the record-breaking #1 movie in the world, is so hot it’s cool as everyone’s favorite toys take to the ice in Disney On Ice presents Disney/Pixar’s Toy Story 3! An award-winning creative team and a cast of world-class skaters are bringing Woody, the pull-string cowboy; space ranger Buzz Lightyear; Jessie, the yodeling cowgirl; and the rest of the gang to fans and families around the country in this brand-new live ice spectacular produced by Feld Entertainment. This fast-paced and witty tale of friendship launches a 2-year, 75-city North American tour on September 3rd in Lakeland, FL.

To enhance this live experience, the production will feature state-of-the-art projection design, allowing adults and children alike to virtually shrink down as Andy’s room is transformed from human to toy-sized. Families are whisked away, reliving iconic moments from Toy Story and Toy Story 2 before they embark on the brand-new adventure of Toy Story 3. This innovative 3D technology, a first for any Disney On Ice show, blends four separate images into one massive 3D projection using the entire ice surface to create oversized effects and scenic elements, altering the audience’s perception of scale. Memorable scenes take on a new life as a pinball machine of monumental proportion is created at Pizza Planet, with the massive pinball table projected onto the ice and the score board on the stage behind it. This perspective, among many others throughout the show, reinforces the audience’s experience as a toy-sized spectator.

“An award-winning team of artists, designers and technicians are redefining the theatre of ice with a show that challenges the audience’s perception of scale,” says Producer Nicole Feld. “Disney On Ice presents Disney/Pixar’s Toy Story 3 is Feld Entertainment’s most innovative show ever.”

D-BOX Technologies Inc. (DBO.A on the TSX Venture Exchange), a leader in innovative motion technology for the entertainment industry, has announced The Walt Disney Studios’ new 3D action adventure film TRON: Legacy will feature D-BOX Motion Code(TM) when the movie opens in theatres December 17, 2010.

Consistently providing moviegoers with new content, this is the 18th movie to be announced since D-BOX unveiled its revolutionary technology in April 2009 and its second movie title with The Walt Disney Studios.

Ryman Arts, together with The Walt Disney Company, today announced the completion of a major grant that creates the Marty Sklar Legacy Fund, honoring the 54-year career and retirement of Disney legend, Marty Sklar. Amid a tough economic climate prompting closure of a number of art programs in public schools across Los Angeles, the Fund will help ensure a quality arts education for a new class of Ryman Arts scholars.

Featuring dark finishes, neon lighting and a cyber aesthetic, DCP’s new TRON: Legacy line will immerse kids and adults alike into the amazing, illuminated cyber world of TRON. Developed in collaboration with leading industry innovators including Spinmaster, Monster, Performance Designed Products (PDP) and Razer, TRON products will be available at retail beginning this October and will be showcased at the San Diego Comic Con International Convention next month giving fans an exclusive first look.

“TRON: Legacy is a cutting-edge film with a unique futuristic feel, and we wanted to create products with new technology and high-end design that live up to what you will see on screen,” said Chris Heatherly, VP of toys and electronics, Disney Consumer Products. “This is not a typical movie line. We’re working exclusively with trailblazers who normally do not do movie merchandise, but they believed so passionately in TRON that they jumped at the chance to help us make great products.”

At the age of 10, Shannon Tavarez managed to accomplish what most never could, taking on a pivotal role in one of the most popular theatrical productions in Broadway’s history, that of young Nala. Less than a year later, Shannon finds herself fighting for her life having been diagnosed with AML Leukemia, a cancer whose victims have an average age of 65.

Shannon now spends her days receiving chemotherapy treatments and acting as a spokesperson for DKMS, the world’s largest bone marrow donor matching service. In Shannon’s case, finding a donor is particularly difficult because of her mother being African-American and her father is Dominican. On her quest for finding a donor, Shannon has prepared the following video for DKMS: